Lawyer Fort Collins, CO

Victims of pedestrian accidents need a lawyer Fort Collins, CO residents trust. Many pedestrian accident victims may not realize it, but there are many scenarios where they have the right of way and a vehicle is required by law to stop. If you have been injured while walking, you should contact a Fort Collins lawyer to discuss your case.

As a seasoned injury lawyer in Fort Collins, CO knows, one of the most common locations of pedestrian accidents is crosswalks – the very place where pedestrians are allowed to cross. Vehicle drivers often aren’t paying attention and are too busy trying to beat the traffic signal than watch for a person crossing the street.

When a pedestrian accident victim is struck by a vehicle, the impact can cause extremely serious injuries that may force the victim to deal with a long and painful recovery. Depending on the severity of their injuries, some victims never fully recover and are left with lifelong disabilities.

Pedestrian Accident Injuries

Pedestrians are totally vulnerable with no protection around them, and this is evident by some of the injuries they suffer when hit by a vehicle. The more frequent injuries that a lawyer Fort Collins Co accident victims trust often see include:

Cuts and bruises which result in bad scarring or disfigurement;

Damage to tissue and blood vessels which result in amputation;

Fractures;

Post-traumatic stress disorder;

Traumatic brain injuries; and

Death.

These injuries can not only affect a victim’s physical and mental abilities, they can completely destroy a family’s financial security. The loss of time from work coupled with the often overwhelming medical bills that continue to build can leave a victim and their family facing bankruptcy and the loss of their home.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

Sadly, pedestrian accidents occur every day. Many of these accidents are caused by negligent drivers who don’t exercise safety to ensure they don’t harm pedestrians crossing the street. The average lawyer Fort Collins, CO trusts has likely had many cases dealing with pedestrian accidents caused by one or more of these common reasons:

Left-Hand Turns: Many pedestrian accidents occur when cars make left-hand turns. Drivers are busy looking for other vehicles and pedestrians are looking straight ahead, so both of them are looking elsewhere.

Drunk Driving: A lawyer in Fort Collins, CO represents pedestrians who have been hit by drunk drivers. When drivers are under the influence of alcohol, they may lose focus and not see pedestrians crossing the street.

Lack of Visibility: Pedestrian accidents can also occur when there is a lack of visibility, such as at nighttime or during fog. If drivers have trouble seeing pedestrians crossing the streets, they are more likely to hit them. When visibility is low, pedestrians can reduce their risk of getting hit by wearing bright colored clothing.

Unmarked Crossmarks: A lawyer Fort Collins, CO depends on also sees pedestrian accidents caused by unmarked walkways. If a crosswalk is clearly marked, the risk of pedestrian accidents decreases.

Distracted Driving: It’s important for drivers to keep their focus on the road, so they see everything around them. If they send a text message or talk on their cell phone while behind the wheel, they might not notice pedestrians trying to cross the street.

Steps to Take After a Pedestrian Accident

Getting hit by a car can be traumatizing. However, it’s important to stay as calm as possible and know what to do immediately afterward. Here are a few steps to take after a pedestrian accident:

Move Out of the Street: If you are physically able, move as fast as you can out of the street. Getting to the sidewalk as quickly as possible can prevent you from getting hit again.

Ask the Driver to Stay: Even if you don’t feel like you’re hurt, you should still ask the driver to stay at the scene until the police arrive. It’s not uncommon for people to think they’re perfectly fine and then later discover that they have a neck injury, broken leg, or an even more serious injury. If the driver leaves the scene, try to get a photo of his or her license plate.

Call the Police: When police arrive at the accident scene, tell them what happened from your perspective. They should include that information in their police report. Remember to ask for a copy of the police report so that you can give it to your Fort Collins lawyer. Your lawyer Fort Collins, CO relies on may use the police report as evidence in court.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately: It’s important to see a doctor right away. If you wait too long, your injuries could become worse or insurance adjusters might not believe you are truly hurt.

Hire a Lawyer: In order to improve your chances of getting a fair settlement, hire an experienced lawyer Fort Collins, CO respects. A lawyer Fort Collins, CO counts on may help you gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies and represent you in court.

Holding the At-Fault Driver Responsible

When victims of pedestrian accidents are faced with the huge financial burdens their injuries are causing, it is critical to secure a lawyer Fort Collins CO residents recommend to aggressively fight for the compensation they deserve. Filing a pedestrian accident claim may be the best way to obtain the financial resources to pay for medical and rehabilitation expenses as well as necessary equipment such as a wheelchair.

Call a Lawyer Fort Collins CO Residents Know Can Advocate for Them

If you have suffered injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle, you need a skilled personal injury attorney who can aggressively fight for you against the insurance company and their attorneys. Never try to negotiate your case on your own without legal representation. A skilled Fort Collins CO lawyer knows all the tricks insurance companies may try in order to get you to settle for much less than you deserve.

The attorneys at Cannon Hadfield Stieben & Doutt, LLC are happy to discuss your case in detail during a complimentary case evaluation. To schedule an appointment with a trusted lawyer Fort Collins CO has to offer, contact us today at (970) 689-3037 or fill out a contact form from our website.

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